This Simple Pasta Salad is full of recent flavors and tossed in a easy basil and citrus dressing. It’s the type of salad that retains you coming again for one more chunk. So mild and scrumptious, it’s considered one of our favourite weeknight meals through the hotter months and at all times successful at potlucks!

Why We Love This Simple Pasta Salad

This pasta salad is considered one of my household’s favorites as a result of it tastes scrumptious, it’s an effective way to make use of up ripe tomatoes, and it’s a really perfect dinner to serve to the entire household. Plus, one batch feeds a crowd, so it’s an incredible dish to share with buddies.

The dressing is so mild and refreshing and is totally good with recent summer season produce. This salad can be tremendous adaptable. Use no matter veggies you will have readily available, or toss in some grilled hen. I extremely suggest leaving these tomatoes in although.. they pair completely with the recent basil and mozzarella. I used grape tomatoes right here since that’s what we choose, however you need to use any that you simply like or have readily available—Roma, heirlooms, or different cherry tomatoes of any colour.

Substances for Simple Pasta Salad:

• Pasta– I used farfalle (bowtie) pasta, however you’ll be able to actually use any pasta you will have readily available.
• Mozzarella– I really like utilizing recent mozzarella on this salad. If yow will discover them, the mozzarella pearls work nice.
• Feta Cheese– The feta provides a pleasant salty chunk to the salad.
• Tomatoes– I like to make use of cherry tomatoes right here, however roma, heirloom, or grape tomatoes all work effectively.
• Bell Peppers– I used an orange for added colour, however any colour will do!
• Cucumbers– I like utilizing thin-skinned English cucumbers. If utilizing an everyday cucumber, peel and take away the seeds earlier than chopping and including to the salad.
• Basil– This salad requires each recent and dried basil.
• Lemon– Go for recent! You’ll use the juice and the zest for the dressing. Bottled lemon juice will work in a pinch, however you’ll get a a lot brighter taste with a recent lemon.
• Olive Oil– Olive oil is nice, however loads of occasions I’ll use avocado oil as a substitute.
• Honey– Honey provides only a trace of sweetness to the dressing.
• Apple Cider Vinegar– I’ve solely made this with apple cider vinegar, however I’m guessing that pink or white wine vinegars would work nice too.
• Salt & Pepper– To season.

Tips on how to Make Simple Pasta Salad

1. Prepare dinner the pasta based on the package deal instructions. Drain and rinse in chilly water, then put in a giant bowl.
2. Whisk collectively the dressing substances in a small bowl or shaker bottle.
3. Chop the greens into chunk sized items and put within the bowl with the pasta. Add the cheese.
4. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.

Ideas & Options

Substitutions

This pasta salad is actually scrumptious within the primary model proven right here, however listed here are just a few variations you would do to customise it for your loved ones:

• Make it dairy-free through the use of white beans or chickpeas as a substitute of the cheese.
• Add shredded hen or chunks of tuna to spice up the protein.
• Change up the veggies! Strive zucchini, recent peas, asparagus, sliced carrots or child spinach.
• Swap out the pasta for spinach or romaine for a scrumptious inexperienced salad.

We adore it nearly any manner, so experiment and see what your loved ones likes!

Storing

You’ll be able to retailer this salad in an air-tight container within the fridge for 3-5 days. If it will get just a little dry, merely toss with a bit of additional dressing earlier than serving.

Serving Options

This salad makes a lightweight and scrumptious dinner, however we additionally like to serve it with this Lemon Grilled Hen, Simple Artisan Bread, Candy Spinach Muffins, or with a recent smoothie.

Extra Tasty Salads to Strive: